Ever wonder why there’s ads for Sonic all over the television but the nearest one is 200 miles away? Or why Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle is such a good movie DESPITE never having been to a White Castle? Or, for our East Coast readers, when you hear about In N Out Burger from all your West Coast friends?
Well, Manolith is here to answer all your questions.
1. Sonic
Anywhere you go, you see the ads. You always hear about how good the shakes are, and you know a friend that magically found one, but predominately these burger joints are found pretty far away wherever the hell you’re at. I had a roommate – true story – who drove three hours from Chicago to downstate Illinois just to get one (he was that kind of guy).
The burgers themselves aren’t that bad, the shakes are frankly amazing for a fast food place, and the fries are too puffy for my liking, but who else serves tater tots and who else serves them on roller blades up to your car, using a sort of pseudo-Jetsons food board?
The reason that the ads are so ubiquitous but the franchise themselves are so spread out (unless you’re in the Bible Belt or the South) is, according to a Sonic spokesperson who declined to give her name, is that “we’re expanding our franchise and merely building brand awareness. We’d rather have five or six locations be visited all day every day than have many locations barely visited. We’re in a huge expansion phase via word of mouth and the television ads help expand that and drive more people to try our burgers”.
2. Del Taco
A largely Southern California franchise, Del Taco retains the kind of fervor in young boys hearts of a certain upbringing best reserved for baseball cards and Radio Flyers. If you’ve were brought up south of Bakersfield and enjoy beer now and then, you’ve made a late night run to Del Taco. A spokesperson declined to give an answer as to why they had not expanded nationality, but in Manolith’s opinion its because the market is more than monopolized by Taco Bell. Taco Bell is – lets face it – somewhat of a joke; Taco Bell is to Mexican food what Madonna is to acting. Just not good. Sadly, the Bell is everywhere, and Del Taco just ain’t, which sucks, because Del Taco is three times better. They use real chunks of meat that you can actually see as opposed to the strange meat hybrid that Taco Bell uses and its a shame they’re not more widely available – during my college years in Chicago I’d have killed for a hangover-killing taco feast from a drive thru, but alas, to no avail.
3. In N Out
In N Out is another Southern California staple so fucking synonymous with the landscape of SoCal food that one particular member of the Manolith Office actually chose an apartment due to its approximation to an In N Out franchise. They’re delicious, totally delicious, burgers and fries and milkshakes – and that’s it. You’ll be pressed to find onion rings or anything else (save “coffee” and “milk” and your choice of soda) on the menu, because In N Out does just those things: burgers, fries, and shakes.
The secret, though, is the ingredients. All the ingredients are 85% local and fresh – a HUGE advancement for a fast food chain – but its quality that you can literally taste, as anyone who has been to one during lunch or dinner rush can attest to, the place is always packed. Having been in an hour long line for one of their famous Double Doubles (two patties, two cheese slices burgers) and happily waiting for it, I’ll be the first to tell you that the quality is the best part about this thing.
And also exactly why they haven’t expanded. Despite being hugely, hugely popular, the company simply hasn’t found reliable farmers for their tomatoes, lettuce, and beef, and refuses to expand until they can find somewhat that meets their high standards.
4. White Castle
White Castle seems to stop somewhere west of Chicago, which is a huge shame, because – sweet Jesus – it’s the best hangover food you’ve ever had.
Nothing can quite prepare you for the anal carnage that goes on six to eight hours after you’ve had their famous Sliders, which are basically miniature hamburgers, which live up their name if you are want to believe the urban legend as to how they got their name (about how they slide right out of you on the way out). But they’re so good going down it should be made criminal.
Speculation on as to why White Castle haven’t made it from coast to coast runs from Internet rumors about lack of money to simply the fact that they’re so well established and in the words of Alfred E. Neuman, “Why Try Harder?”. We couldn’t get anyone on the phone from White Castle, but we’d speculate on the latter. They’re so ingrained in East Coast life that moving them to the West might prove fruitless, dealing with heavyweights In N Out and Jack In The Box.
5. Jack In The Box
One of the great tragedies in life is that Jack In The Box is just a West Coast phenomenon. It is – without a doubt – a stoners paradise. Per say you want two tacos at three in the morning? And you only have a dollar? DONE. Maybe you’re really feeling on some rice bowl thing, an’ hell why not, an egg roll? YOU CAN HAVE ONE. It’s fucking beautiful; democracy at work. And the burgers and all that aren’t exactly Michelin cuisine, but hey! I’m stoned! Where else can you get mini churros, a rice bowl, a chicken pita sandwich, and a mint shake at any time of the day? It’s insane. The menu follows no rhyme nor reason but it’s the best place to go after a few hits of the Honey Bear Bong.
Also Check Out…
Comments
Dizzle
May 20th, 2009 - 8:05:07 PM
Another one from Oklahoma, like Sonic, is a place called Braum's Braum's does the local produce thing like In-n-Out but Braum's has their own dairy farm and makes all their own ice cream - it's beautiful. They have a 300 mile radius around OK City because that's as far as they can ship their milk in one day. MUST TRY.
Nicole Gustas
May 20th, 2009 - 9:18:45 PM
Jack In the Box once existed on the East Coast. My mom lived on their tacos while she was pregnant with me. I think they vanished in the Boston area in the early '80s.
tb
May 21st, 2009 - 12:36:46 AM
How dare you speak of taco bell this way
Brad
May 21st, 2009 - 10:19:12 AM
Whataburger trumps them all. www.whataburger.com
thom06
May 21st, 2009 - 10:19:46 AM
You forgot Taco Johns...it started in Wyoming or so the story goes...
rp
May 21st, 2009 - 10:24:13 AM
because taco bell is garbage
td
May 21st, 2009 - 10:27:22 AM
we have jack int the box here in the carolina's, and my desire for sliders is met at Krystal!!
andrew
May 21st, 2009 - 10:27:49 AM
Del Taco is trash. Any why are you rating these based on how well they cure hangovers? In-N-Out should be top 2 at least. Probably #1.
Bryzon
May 21st, 2009 - 10:27:53 AM
I live in Wyoming and the big place here is Taco Johns. Before I moved here from Tennessee, it was Sonic, though, no joke, we have a Taco Johns right next door to a Sonic here in Cheyenne. Another one to mention might be Krystal's in the south east. Krystal's is like White Castle, but better, imo.
dave
May 21st, 2009 - 10:27:59 AM
Down in the south I think the only White Castle I ever saw was in Nashville, otherwise you hit Krystal, which is pretty much the same thing. I agree w/ Brad, Whataburger rocks the face. You want a good damn burger in Birmingham, then hit Milo's http://www.miloshamburgers.com You'll either love or hate the burgers, but the fries and sweet tea are more addictive than crack.
WK
May 21st, 2009 - 10:28:17 AM
I once had a friend that worked at Taco Bell. He said that labeled on the side of their meat were the words... GRADE D... BUT EDIBLE. Even with saying that I still love Taco Bell.
A_LEGEND
May 21st, 2009 - 10:31:01 AM
What Brad said, whataburger has some of the best fast food burgers EVAR. And I never knew I should appreciate sonic but I'll try to do a better job, I'm sorry.
John Davis
May 21st, 2009 - 10:32:57 AM
Wow, Jack in the Box was one of my favs back in teh day when I used to eat junk food! RT www.whos-watching.se.tc
Bill
May 21st, 2009 - 10:33:34 AM
Hardee's is a mostly southern chain and their Thickburgers are treat. They give me a mouthgasm every single time.
tb
May 21st, 2009 - 10:34:35 AM
I LOVE Braum's. I also have class on Tuesday nights so we always hit up Taco John's for Taco Tuesday before class.
Jonathan
May 21st, 2009 - 10:34:38 AM
What, Sonic and Jack in the Box but no Whataburger? This is a travesty.
Nobody
May 21st, 2009 - 10:37:39 AM
White Castle is southern. That's why you don't find them west of Chicago. Chicago is way north. I'd bet you don't often find them east of Chicago either. You would find them only SOUTH of Chicago. They extend as far west as Texas, IIRC. Also, Jack In The Box is not a west-coast only thing. We have lots of them in Missouri. Hell, there's a Del Taco around here somewhere, too. But we have Culvers and the coasts do not. It's the best export from Wisconsin aside from beer. P.S.: Everything from Sonic tastes like the deep fryer grease, even the things that aren't deep fried. The same stale grease infests their breakfast burritos, for crying out loud.
Joe
May 21st, 2009 - 10:38:52 AM
I remember milo's hamburgers and fries from when I was a kid in Birmingham over 20 years ago - great stuff!
Noah
May 21st, 2009 - 10:42:02 AM
Putting in my two cents: you can't talk about regional drive-thrus without mentioning the god tier of Whataburger.
Mike
May 21st, 2009 - 10:42:20 AM
Also look at Culver's, we hav them here is KS, along with Sonic. Culver's rocks, they actually take your order, you sit down and they bring it...fast. Huge menu.
Twigster
May 21st, 2009 - 10:42:31 AM
Are Jack In the Box and Del Taco really regional chains? Huh i never knew that. I have a Jack in the Box and Del Taco within walking distance of my apartment. I also eat In-N-Out every now and then. I never really cared for Jack In the Box though. Oh and Del Taco has this Taco Tuesday thing. Three tacos for a dollar on Tuesdays. They dont give that much meat though.
toddbass10
May 21st, 2009 - 10:44:03 AM
Krystals >>>>> White Castle
Mike
May 21st, 2009 - 10:45:50 AM
I agree with nobody, best export besides Leinenkugel from Wi. We had White Castle IN KCMO, hell they were started in Wichita, KS....I don't think there is one closer than St Louis now. Ah...double cheeseburgers from White Castle after 50 cent pitchers of beer from the Roxy In Overland Park...that was the life...
brandon
May 21st, 2009 - 10:46:44 AM
In Tennessee we have sonic around every corner, we also have many jack in the box drive thru's and only 1 del taco, and im sorry to say that it is too far away for me to travel at 3 in the morning drunk
Manny
May 21st, 2009 - 10:49:16 AM
They have White Castle in Columbus, OH - and a WC regional Headquarters here. But I hate their food.... I'd rather eat Taco bell....
UncleHockey
May 21st, 2009 - 10:51:04 AM
Jack in the Box is DEFINITELY not just west coast. http://www.jackinthebox.com/locations/ How did Rally's not make this list?
jamesey
May 21st, 2009 - 10:53:57 AM
Del Taco? That's where tourists eat fast food in SoCal. Real Southern Californians get their mexican fix from whatever delicious shitty hole in the wall is down the street. The name of the place will be something like Maria's, Roberta's, Jose's, Paco's or some other Latin name that you will grow to love.
david
May 21st, 2009 - 10:57:22 AM
Hardee’s is up in milw,wi no just down south.so is a chain called george webb's that open 24hrs a day
jutah
May 21st, 2009 - 11:08:31 AM
YOU FORGOT CULVER'S
Talking Cow
May 21st, 2009 - 11:11:04 AM
Ummm... am I missing something? CHICK-FIL-A, people! Best fast food in America, and I believe only in the South. Why is it not on this list, and why has nobody else mentioned it?
uh
May 21st, 2009 - 11:17:39 AM
@Talking Cow There is a Chick-Fil-A here in southern California, which is southwest.
raul
May 21st, 2009 - 11:20:29 AM
I am from Chicago, and White Castle is indeed shit. I visited Huntsville,TX for a wedding and had Whataburger my first night there....it was scrumtralescent. Never before have I had such a delicious burger at 1am.
Th3d00k
May 21st, 2009 - 11:23:39 AM
St. Louis, MO has all of these save for In-N-Out Burger. There are a few that should be added to this list though: 1. Steak & Shake 2. Checker's/Rally's
jim
May 21st, 2009 - 11:24:10 AM
have you ever been to the south? what about Sonic? or chick-fil-a or Krystal (the better version of white castle)?
Nick
May 21st, 2009 - 11:27:13 AM
Del Taco is terrible. And it's not just westcoast. There were a couple with-in a few miles of me when I lived in Detroit.
Trux
May 21st, 2009 - 11:28:01 AM
White Castle goes as far north as Minnesota, but only as far west as the Mississippi river (except for a handfull that are just a few miles west of the mighty Miss.) I grew up in MN and we had WC all over the place. I now live in Denver, Co and we have Jack in the Box, Sonic, and Del Taco. 3 out of 5 is not bad.
Z
May 21st, 2009 - 11:29:24 AM
Too bad that Texas fav Dairy Queen was left out.
Rev. Nathan
May 21st, 2009 - 11:30:52 AM
I'm a Texas native who now lives in So Cal. The Whataburger v In n arguement is the same tired old rant I've heard on so many other forums: no one has tried BOTH to compare; and when they say they have, they had one or the other once. Well I grew up with Whataburger. I loved it. Then, when California came, I was overwhelmed by fast food choices. Frankly, there's quite a bit better than Whataburger... it's just that Whataburger was the best in the region. I grabbed in n out at LAX and then Whataburger when I landed at George Bush intercontenential just to reaffirm my beliefs; not nearly as good. In n Out will always win the arguement due to freshness of ingredients.
Tsega Dinka
May 21st, 2009 - 11:36:30 AM
Clearly there needs to be a follow up post to this with some of the top ones you guys feel were left out.
Irwin Fletcher
May 21st, 2009 - 11:37:35 AM
I have to agree with some of the posers above...Braum's gets my vote. Good burgers, great ice cream and shakes. Wish we had one here. I also enjoy Checkers which is sort of the southern version of Rally's. I would also add to the list Portillo's from Chicago. They're growing thankfully...mmm Chicago dogs and Italian beef sandwiches.
ray
May 21st, 2009 - 11:37:58 AM
whataburger should be up there. like jack they are open all day. the fries are the best anywhere. whataburger = for the drunks coming from the clubs ie. people with jobs and money jack = stoners wth very little funds.
Bryzon
May 21st, 2009 - 11:44:54 AM
I agree with Talking Cow, CHICK-FIL-A should be on here. It's not only in south, though not many places are outside the south, thats for sure. We have one here in our mall in Cheyenne, WY.
dude...
May 21st, 2009 - 11:46:24 AM
No RUNZA???? what?
Chick-Fil-A-Roxxors
May 21st, 2009 - 11:49:58 AM
In terms of taste, chick fil-a beats them all hands down. The chicken sandwiches are perfect, tender, tasty and the pickles just make them so much better. The waffle fries are definately a drunk/ stoner treat. You cant stop cramming them down your fry-hole. The shakes are made with real ice cream and you can hear your ass get bigger when you drink one. The only shitty thing is that they're closed on sundays (which make late night saturday romps "unpossible". *insert bible-belt joke here* I've cursed them and many gods for them being closed on sunday. oh well, it's worth it
Sean
May 21st, 2009 - 11:56:29 AM
Whataburger is better than In-N-Out. There, I said it. Sonic is horrible. Never knew Braum's was from Chokaloma. Note to self: No more braum's, only Whataburger.
Bojangles
May 21st, 2009 - 12:24:05 PM
Hands down Bojangles rules over all of these. Southern fried chicken and breakfast served all day long. Top it off with the best sweet tea ever and it's the perfect cure for any hangover!
Pharacon
May 21st, 2009 - 12:40:39 PM
Del Taco was National back in early 90's then got hit by a Corporate Raider that almost wiped it out. This is when they dumped a bunch of stores and went to a Southern Cali only company. Del Taco then got sold to another guy who mashed it together with another southern california Mexifood joint called Nogals, or was it Nagas? Any way they are still recovering from that. but they are expanding slowly but surely. If I remember it right they are currently owned by someone who owns Captian D's so who knows what will happen. Del Taco is WAY better than Taco Bell but in the end it is Fast Food. I love the crinkle cut french frys and those yummy double Del burgers.
Righturwrong
May 21st, 2009 - 1:13:20 PM
So Nobody, is completely wrong in saying that White Castle is from the south. They originated in Kansas and the southern version of WC is Krystals. I have tasted all of the above mentioned chains, including Hardee's/Carl's JR, Culver's, George Webbs, Del Taco, Krystal, Whataburger (which is the worst on this list), Sonic, Jack, In and Out and have to say that Culver's and In and Out are my favorite. I live in Phoenix and we have all of the above mentioned chains minus George Webbs which is a Wisconsin thing, and Krystal. Also, Ray u are a tool. Just cuz you blow all your money on 'clubs' and can 'afford' whataburger doesnt change the fact that you bathe in douch water and your $8 an hour Geek Squad job does not make you better than any stoner.
Mike
May 21st, 2009 - 1:15:26 PM
Bill:"Hardee’s is a mostly southern chain and their Thickburgers are treat. They give me a mouthgasm every single time." Hardee's and Carl's Jr. are owned by the same company, CKE Enterprises, but Carl's Jr is SW only and Hardee's is NW/SE/NE only. They both sell the same food and their websites are identical.
Chani
May 21st, 2009 - 1:36:28 PM
There's a small chain that I believe is only in North Carolina, called Cookout. Their food is pretty good, but their shakes are the reason to go there. They are beyond fantastic. They put sonic to shame. They even offer a seasonal Watermelon Shake from July to August.
anon
May 21st, 2009 - 1:55:53 PM
missing my all time favorite, fatburger
Frank Angleman
May 21st, 2009 - 2:19:58 PM
It's interesting that there's an In-n-Out right next to a Del Taco, directly across the street from a Jack-in-the-Box, and about a tenth of a mile down the road from a Sonic all in Washington, Utah (neighbor of St. George, Utah). The only thing needed now is a White Castle.
SoCal Native
May 21st, 2009 - 2:41:07 PM
Oh man... The Hat in So Cal is the greatest. They only have 10 locations but they are worth the drive. The menu is pretty standard fare... but they have the Best pastrami sandwiches i've ever had and chili fries that qualify as a meal by themselves (meal for 3), that's what brings the people back. A few years ago my wife went to visit her mother in New Mexico and a family friend (former So Cal resident) asked her to bring a pastrami sandwich and chili fries from The Hat, true story! Of course now i'm a former So Cal resident, but whenever i'm in town i make my way over there at least once during my stay.
CarolinaBoy
May 21st, 2009 - 7:56:11 PM
Cook Out has the best shakes of any fast food chain its a shame they are only endemic to the Carolinas. Blows Sonic out of the water.
oddstray
May 21st, 2009 - 8:21:27 PM
Del Taco is farther away from Mexican than Taco Bell is!!! I know ... we prefer lunch in Tecate, Mexico over any of the Mexican pretenders north of the border.
TXinmyheart
May 22nd, 2009 - 8:29:00 AM
I'm going to settle this here and now, and anyone who hasn't tried truly doesn't know what they're missing. Taco. Bueno. The Muchaco is a thing of simple beauty. Its been copied, badly, many times and never duplicated.
airship
May 22nd, 2009 - 10:08:12 AM
Out of Iowa, and found around the Midwest: Maid-Rite loose meat sandwiches.. Yum!:P http://www.maid-rite.com/
Joe
May 22nd, 2009 - 11:55:57 AM
"White Castle seems to stop somewhere west of Chicago" There's ton's of these shit shops in Michigan. Do the research.
Jim Jimmy Jim
May 25th, 2009 - 11:25:58 AM
Jack in the Box in Charlotte, NC
Mike
May 26th, 2009 - 5:31:49 PM
I'm lucky - in St. Louis, we have all of them except In N Out...Lots of White Castles & Jack in the Boxes, a few Del Taco locations, although some have shut down, and an ever growing amount of Sonic locations...
Flibbert
May 26th, 2009 - 5:42:39 PM
Spangles. You'll find it in Wichita, Hutchinson, Topeka, and Lawrence, Kansas. No where else. That is all you need to know.
Jason
May 26th, 2009 - 6:00:01 PM
Jack in the Box is not just out west, we have them here in Charlotte, NC too. Several in fact.
Jason
May 26th, 2009 - 6:04:35 PM
Joe said, " ' White Castle seems to stop somewhere west of Chicago ' ” - There’s ton’s of these * shops in Michigan. Do the research." Uh, Joe, do the geography - Michigan is primarily EAST of Chicago (except for a small part of the upper peninsula north of Chicago)
Gill
May 27th, 2009 - 1:00:41 PM
Two stories. Jack in the box had just built a location here in Baltimore 1/4 mile from my house around 1993 and months later the E. coli problem happened and they were suddenly GONE. Shame really. And the wife and I went to a convention in Michigan and practically lived on Whitecastle. The day we left (driving) she ordered 50 burgers and fries and they didn't even blink at the order. Sigh...
elronmackenzie
May 28th, 2009 - 2:15:37 AM
i have travelled this great country a few times and have eaten at most of these places. for my taste, whataburger is king, with braum's running a close second, in-n-out burger is average at best (what's with all the hype?), sonic is grease inside and out, hardee's used to be pretty good, but isn't much anymore (same as carl's jr), white castle is shit, jack in the box is shit, spangles is pretty damn good, never ate at del taco, but taco bell sucks and taco bueno is pretty good, checkers is pretty good, krystal's is ok, runza is pretty good, and chik-fil-a sucks. never ate at taco john's, either. oh, and sean, go hang yourself. you're an idiot.
DJ
May 31st, 2009 - 11:21:41 AM
White Castle is all over Ohio & Michigan. And they are 24/7. Their HQ is in Columbus, Ohio. Don't you people know how to use Google??
Matt`
June 9th, 2009 - 2:30:00 PM
See right there where you said "approximation"? You meant "proximity". Thank you, that is all.
Dave
June 14th, 2009 - 6:31:37 PM
In Iowa and Illinois are the Maid-Rite stores. Maid-Rite is the nation's oldest franchise restaurant, their specialty being the 'Maid-Rite' sandwich, which is the 'loose meat' sandwich. Delicious!
steve
July 8th, 2009 - 4:18:52 PM
Pollo Campero Best.fast.food.ever
6669
July 8th, 2009 - 4:27:32 PM
It sucks in Canada, because you see ads for all of these places all the time because we have so many American TV stations, but they are so intangible!
sven henstrom
July 8th, 2009 - 5:53:55 PM
In-N-Out is a good call. Very, very popular and high quality. But Del Taco? Yuck! They serve really cheap, quasi-Mexican food with fries. Almost any independent Mexican drive through in Southern California is way better.
chester mctroll
July 8th, 2009 - 7:56:27 PM
NO BOJANGLES?!
asus
July 8th, 2009 - 10:54:00 PM
Cheeburger Cheeburger, Five Guys, and Chic-fil-a
Lee Whitegold
July 9th, 2009 - 6:41:08 AM
Having lived in Vegas, WI, and now Texas I can tell all of you that In N Out makes the best burgers, closely followed by Culver's. Whataburger is a distant fourth, after Braum's, but much better than any of the crap from the 'big three' or Sonic. Del Taco is much better than Taco Bell, and for the record they were combined with 'Naugles' in 1987, which was a sad day as Naugles was even better. And I know this is sacrilige in Texas, but I'm going to say it....Chik-Fil-A is just not that good....unless you like dry chicken and pickles.
Hans
July 9th, 2009 - 7:30:43 AM
Ugh, white castle really isn't that good. I'm jealous of all these tasty sounding burger places that we don't have in Ohio. In N Out and Jack and the Box sound good. I can't remember the last time I've been a Sonic. Even though they are apparently around here, they are pretty rare. I don't know how they expect to "establish" themselves if I never even notice any.
abefroman
July 9th, 2009 - 10:30:26 AM
How could Cookout not be on this list? Extremely regional, with better quality food (especially shakes) than any other restaurant listed.
avengemyslang
July 17th, 2009 - 9:35:28 AM
Cookout wins hands down. You can get chicken nuggets with a side of chicken nuggets and a corndog and a shake for like 5 dollars.
Ed Adornio
November 8th, 2009 - 11:55:54 AM
Nothing beats White Castle, nothing!